Amid opposition protests and a walkout by journalists from the press gallery, on January 28, the Senate passed the controversial Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) Amendment Bill, 2025, and the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill, 2024. Both bills had been passed earlier by the National Assembly on January 23 and now await the president’s assent to become law.
The Peca amendments introduce Section 26(A), which proposes strict penalties for spreading “fake news” online. Under the new provisions, individuals found guilty of intentionally disseminating false information that could incite fear, panic, or unrest in society may face up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to Rs2 million, or both.
On January 23, the National Assembly passed the PECA amendment, a day after Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar tabled it. On January 27, the Senate Standing Committee on Interior approved the amendment.
Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanveer Hussain presented the amendment bill in the Senate on behalf of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
During the Senate session, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Shibli Faraz criticized the amendments, saying that the bill was made “to target a specific political party.”
“When a new law is introduced, its intent is scrutinised. Whether it’s social media or any other medium, it should operate within specific boundaries,” Faraz said. “The purpose of this bill is to target a specific political party.”
“Laws are made to protect people, not to oppress them. It takes time to craft a law properly,” he added.
Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain, responding to criticism, clarified that the law targeted social media rather than traditional journalism. “This law will not deal with TV newspapers but social media,” he said, adding that the legislation “can be improved.”
“Journalists have nothing to do with this bill,” he added.
Awami National Party (ANP) Senator Aimal Wali called the Peca amendments a “draconian law” that stifled freedom of speech. “The bill smells of boots,” he remarked before walking out of the Senate with his party members.
Journalists walked out of the Senate press gallery. The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) had announced nationwide protest.
In addition to the Peca amendments, the Senate also approved the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill, tabled by Federal Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar. The Senate session was adjourned indefinitely.
